Senate committee delays Kagan vote for a week

The panel's ranking Republican requests the delay under committee rules

The committee chairman says he plans for the vote to take place on July 20

The committee had a similar delay last year in the confirmation process for Sonia Sotomayor

Washington (CNN) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday delayed its vote on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan for a week at the request of the panel's ranking Republican.

Such a delay is permitted under committee rules. The panel had a similar delay last year when considering the Supreme Court nomination of Sonia Sotomayor.

Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, said he hoped to hold the vote on Kagan in a week's time, on July 20.

The Judiciary Committee held four days of hearings on Kagan's nomination before Congress went on its Fourth of July recess.

Kagan is expect to be approved by the committee, which includes 12 Democrats and seven Republicans. Her nomination also would require approval by the full Senate, with a vote expected before the chamber goes on its August recess.

If approved to fill the seat of retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, Kagan would become the fourth woman to join the nation's highest court.